Selling

How to Get Higher Offers

It’s the little things that count almost as much as the big things. Good preparation prior to listing your home for sale can improve the sale price and ultimate outcome for you.

There are a number of things you can do to bolster your offers from the get-go.

You don’t have to do all of these things – in fact, that would be difficult. But have a read and flag anything you think might be suitable for your property.

Kerb Appeal

Almost every home seller makes sure that the interiors are clean and reasonably spare. What about the exterior? Give your external walls a wash down or at least a sweep. Use a gurney or sugar soap with a broom. Make sure you use towels on the insides of windows to stop any water seeping through the frames.

Front Lawns

Make sure the edges are neat and trim. It sounds obvious, but mowing makes a big impact on perceptions of maintenance and liveability. If you have garden beds, make sure you weed them and refresh the mulch or bark. This will suppress weeds and can turn ugly into charming.

Entice with Colour

The human eye loves colour. It is evocative and enticing. If you live on a fairly plain block, such as a lawn that leads to the house, even potted flowers or trees will make a more impressive first impression. A line of bamboo may also add dimension and layers.

Ornaments and Decoration

Like to put tinsel in the trees at Christmas? Have a collection of garden gnomes or ornaments? Be mindful that it’s not everybody’s taste. Be circumspect with the decorations and perhaps limit them just to one or two.

Driveways

Clear the driveways, especially of any tell-tale signs that you have been doing house improvements. Boxes, paint tins, brushes and brooms are best away in the garage or laundry.

Letterbox

What about the letterbox? A small investment to replace a metal hand-eater may be worthwhile. Purchase an attractive, functional letterbox in a colour that is in keeping with the house, or an appealing contrast colour.

Front door

If your front door looks faded or peeling, an hour or two spent sanding and repainting will pay dividends. If you have the time and inclination, a signature door knocker is impressive! It is the little things that count as well as the big things.

Shoes

At the door, remove any collections of shoes. If the front doormat is tatty, replace it. Like the inside of the house, our aim is to remove overt signs of personal life so that the new buyer can project themselves into the property. Create the blank canvas for them.

Gutters

At the roof level, take some time to clean the gutters and ensure there are no leaks.

Property Name

Even ordinary-seeming suburban blocks can benefit from a name. Is there any botanical significance? An abundance of a certain type of bird or floral colour? Does the house have some history associated with it? From this, consider giving your property a name. You could order a shingle or tile to make it official. This adds character and a sense of prestige to your residence, which add to the purchaser’s emotional connection. Certain facts or characteristics of the block can also be included in the property fact sheet to make it a memorable viewing experience for a house-hunter.

Windows

Make sure your windows are crystal clear. It opens the house to the outside and makes your space lighter and fresher.

Declutter

Remove family photos, crochet, wall hangings, fridge magnets, excessive ornaments. If you have personal photographs all the way down the corridor when a purchaser comes to inspect, it is difficult to get past the sense of them being “in someone else’s home”. We want them to feel that they are in a clean, fresh liveable space that they can envision their own family residing inside.

Staging

Do keep things that lend the space a sense of comfort and make it feel liveable. Sofas, coffee table, book cases, vases. These can be used for subtle or dramatic effect, depending on your property. Don’t be afraid to talk to your agent about ‘staging’ your property. Staging means setting the scene for a viewer to imagine and connect with the lifestyle they can enjoy when they purchase the property.

Try to leave corners of the room clear. Tall furniture can make a space feel claustrophobic. You may consider removing certain pieces while the property is being viewed.

Engage the Senses

You have likely heard about the real estate agent trick of baking bread or brewing coffee in order to give a home a warming, comfortable feel. There are many ways you can engage the senses and these are two. Remember, there is also texture, audio and visual.

A sculpture or artwork

Even just an inexpensive print with gorgeous colours to complement a room makes a positive impression.

Textures, in the form of a thick rug or some other element that can be felt works well. Fragrance, of course, is a low-cost opportunity. This can be achieved with fresh flowers or herbs, not just the coffee or bread if that is impractical. Be wary of the plug-in air fresheners or smoke-emitting incense. These can repel as the smell quickly overpowers and will put off anyone with an allergy.

Gentle music, such as classical or world music, may create a soothing ambience or a mood of excitement or discovery.

Timing

Another important factor in getting your best offers lies in timing. Often things hinge on school terms, where you are planning to go, finance, and so on. As a general rule, the best time is the best time for you. There is no absolute right or wrong time. Winter generally has fewer listings, so a property may receive more attention. Spring is the season when most people list their homes as gardens are looking beautiful and people are more willing to get out and about.

Your Agent will know how best to present your home regardless of the season or timing.